Ceiling fan stabilizer

ABSTRACT

A circular metal plate, preferably 12 inches in diameter, providing a circular aperture at its center, preferably 3 inches in diameter, for the ceiling fan wiring comprises a ceiling fan stabilizer. Three bolt holes are provided for molly bolts which mount the stabilizer to the ceiling. The bolt holes are evenly spaced from each other and equidistant from the central aperture and the outer edge of the stabilizer. Closer to the edge of the aperture, two diametrically opposed slots are provided for the mounting bolts of the fan.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/045,072, filed Sep. 3, 2014, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to home repair and improvement devicesand accessories, and in particular to a ceiling fan stabilizer. The useof a ceiling fan provides a substantial cooling and air circulationeffect for minimal cost, but brings with it certain mechanicalchallenges. Among these is the possibility that the fan may have beeninstalled in a manner that leads to unstable high-speed rotation,whether the instability occurs immediately or as the drywall and otherceiling materials age and deteriorate. Such an instability causes thefan to wobble as it rotates, and may even result in the fan falling fromthe ceiling during operation, imposing a risk of injury and damage toproperty. A ceiling fan stabilizer, which effectively provides a secureand stable mount for the ceiling fan without risk of instability, wouldresolve these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a ceiling fan stabilizer. Thestabilizer is comprised of a circular metal plate, preferably 12 inchesin diameter, providing a circular aperture at its center, preferably 3inches in diameter, for the ceiling fan wiring. Three bolt holes areprovided for molly bolts which mount the stabilizer to the ceiling. Thebolt holes are evenly spaced from each other and equidistant from thecentral aperture and the outer edge of the stabilizer. Closer to theedge of the aperture, two diametrically opposed slots are provided forthe mounting bolts of the fan.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitutea part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a top view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying thestabilizer 10, the aperture 11, the bolt holes 12, and the slots 13.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the first exemplary embodimentmounted on a ceiling fan, displaying the stabilizer 10, the aperture 11,the bolt holes 12, and the fan 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directedto a ceiling fan stabilizer 10.

It is to be understood that while the invention is intended for use witha ceiling fan, this is not intended as a limitation. With suitablemodifications or with no modifications at all, the invention may be usedwith many types of electrical devices and machinery which are ceilingmounted and designed to rotate, such as dental X-ray machines, lightfixtures, engine hoists, and other industrial equipment and machinery.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of a circular metal plate10, preferably twelve inches in diameter, providing a circular aperture11 at its center, preferably 3 inches in diameter, for the ceiling fanwiring. Three bolt holes 12 are provided for molly bolts which mount thestabilizer 10 to the ceiling. The bolt holes 12 are evenly spaced fromeach other and equidistant from the central aperture and the outer edgeof the metal plate 10. Closer to the edge of the aperture 11, twodiametrically opposed slots 13 are provided for the mounting bolts ofthe fan 14. The stabilizer 10 is lightweight, sturdy, and easy to use.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user affixes the stabilizer10 to the hub of the fan 14, using the slots 13 which are provided, andpassing the wiring of the fan 14 through the central aperture 11. Theuser then connects the wiring to house current wires in the ceiling, andmounts the stabilizer 10 with the attached fan 14 to the ceiling withmolly bolts, using the bolt holes 12 which are provided.

The stabilizer 10 is preferably manufactured from a rigid, durablematerial with substantial structural strength, such as steel or aluminumalloy. Components and methods listed above are preferable, but artisanswill recognize that alternate components and methods could be selectedwithout altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understandand appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, andequivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Theinvention should, therefore, not be limited by the above describedembodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methodswithin the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A ceiling fan stabilizer, comprising: (a) a metal plate; (b)said metal plate being circular in shape; (c) an aperture being centeredin said metal plate; (d) said aperture being circular in shape; (e) aplurality of bolt holes; (f) said plurality of bolt holes beingconfigured to fit a plurality of mounting bolts; (g) said mounting boltsbeing configured to secure said metal plate to a ceiling; (h) aplurality of slots; (i) said plurality of slots being configured to fita plurality of fan mounting bolts; (j) said plurality of fan mountingbolts being configured to secure a fan to said metal plate.
 2. Theceiling fan stabilizer of claim 1, wherein said metal plate has adiameter of twelve inches.
 3. The ceiling fan stabilizer of claim 2,wherein said aperture has a diameter of three inches.
 4. The ceiling fanstabilizer of claim 1, wherein said plurality of bolt holes areequidistant apart from each other and equidistant from the center ofsaid metal plate.
 5. The ceiling fan stabilizer of claim 4, wherein saidplurality of bolt holes are half way between the outer edge of saidaperture and the outer edge of said metal plate.
 6. The ceiling fanstabilizer of claim 1, wherein said plurality of bolt holes are half waybetween the outer edge of said aperture and the outer edge of said metalplate.
 7. The ceiling fan stabilizer of claim 1, wherein said pluralityof bolt holes is equal to three in number.
 8. The ceiling fan stabilizerof claim 5, wherein said plurality of bolt holes is equal to three innumber.
 9. The ceiling fan stabilizer of claim 6, wherein said pluralityof bolt holes is equal to three in number.
 10. The ceiling fanstabilizer of claim 1, wherein said plurality of mounting bolts aremolly bolts.
 11. The ceiling fan stabilizer of claim 1, wherein saidplurality of slots are equal to two in number.
 12. The ceiling fanstabilizer of claim 11, wherein said plurality of slots arediametrically opposite of each other.
 13. The ceiling fan stabilizer ofclaim 12, wherein said plurality of slots are located closer to theouter edge of said aperture than the outer edge of said metal plate.